[vintage:DREAMS]

i know most applications are online
so can we save our info and go back to it when we want and stuff? or do we have to fill it out all at once?
are the directions easy to follow? i don't want to mess up...
where do you find out if the college is rolling admin, early action, early decision stuff like that??
i looked at an application and it had a place for a photo! is that recommended? are they really trying to match the voice to the picture or are they going to be subjective and choose ppl who look good?

Wow, you asked so long ago, but I'll answer anyway. (:

All the applications will let you save and go back to it later. I'm sure none of the colleges expect you to finish everything all in one day. Haha, especially if they have essays. Those take a while as well, but it's not too hard.

For me, the UC applications and the CSU applications had tutorials and FAQs, but really, it's really easy to follow. It's just filling out a form and they'll always have a question mark next to each question that will give you more information about that section.

You can find out about rolling admin, early action, etc. on the college website. Just look around, it'll tell you probably under Admissions or Future Students. If not, ask your school counselor or the career center?

Never heard about the picture before, but I doubt they'll reject you if you don't look good. Admissions are supposed to be purely objective. GPAs, SATs, extracurricular . . . Not how you look. That would be ridiculous. Hehe.

Hope that helps. (:

[flyaway01]

^ thanks so much!
I'm significantly less confused

[rockydonnatelli]

I have kind of a dumb question.
How do get a college application.

[l jennzie xOxO l]

lol for online apps, just go to the website usually late summer, early fall and most schools will have theirs up. And then just click on Apply or Online Application and there you go! To actually get a paper application, you usually have to request one or sign up for their mailing list- again that info would be found on their website. Just google their undergrad admissions website =]

[jess89]

for colleges that recommend you sending a photo, it's their way of putting a face to the application. in other words, to make it more personal. also, if you guys (while visiting the schools or going to those college gatherings) stood out when you met the admissions people and they remember you after seeing your picture, thats a good way to boost your ap.

[lillouie1210]

i have a quick question
i heard it's better to do a paper application than online. is that true?

[jess89]

^not necessarily. i remember going to one of those college program things and someone asked your question. the admissions officers pretty much agreed that their schools "don't have a preference but online is a lot easier (for the applicants AND those in the admissions office)"

[piQ]

i have questions on applications. i have all my scores and stuff set.

i don't get this application process...tell me if i am correct

if you could, you apply using commonapp (if the college you're interested is on the list). but why would you apply online for colleges, if you are using the common application? could you choose one or are using both necessary?

and for the essay, some colleges have a supplement. For example, UIllinois. The two essays they had provided last year were for UIllinois application. Is there also a common application essay which is considered the "MAIN" one? i am quite confused can anyone clear up my confusion? thank you

[vintage:DREAMS]

^ Colleges don't care if you apply through mail or if you apply online. The common application is there to make things easier since most people are now applying online rather than a written application. I don't think it matters if you apply online or written. You can always check the college website to see which they prefer but I doubt that it matters. It's not necessary to apply both online and written. One is fine. (:

I'm a little confused by your second question. o.o;

[piQ]

By my second question, I'm asking about the essay and how it should be done...

Question Number 1:
For the common application, I see six. Do I write all six essays, or choose one?


Question Number 2:
Colleges also have specific essay topics they want students to write about (~300 words), correct?


So I am asking, do I do both?

[elisa*]

I'm looking at the USC application right now, as it's one of my top choices. They already have an online link to submit Part 1 Application (which is not required, but recommended) and it's due on October 15, 2007.

They have a slot for SAT scores.. and I'm confused about this.

My SAT score is pretty low (I only took it once and got 2050), and I'm looking to raise it in October. But the application is due in October >_< so I wonder if I should just not fill in the Part 1 Application at all...

Help?

Does it really help to fill in the Part 1 Application? How much is it weighed?

[chiluvskk]

i'll be a senior next year
does our high school counselors give us all the applications for colleges?
are we responsible to do all of this ourself?

if we are supposed to do it by ourself then would i just sign up on the UC website so they'll send one home for me?
would you reccommend doing it online or by mail?

do we just leave the SAT score section blank if we're planning to take it again?

and finally for the UC essay, there are three questions (i think) do we have to answer them in three different paragraphs, or can we write one single essay that would answer all those questions?


hope you guys could answer my questions. gosh i'm sooo nervous !!!!!

[jess89]

chiluvskk:

does our high school counselors give us all the applications for colleges?
are we responsible to do all of this ourself?
no, your counselors do not give you the aps. you must go to the college website and request one yourself (if you want a paper copy). some (most) schools have it set up so you can fill out the app online if you dont want to use a paper copy.

if we are supposed to do it by ourself then would i just sign up on the UC website so they'll send one home for me?
i don't remember the UC's having a paper version. i did mine online. but generally yes go to a college's website and they should have a "request paper application" link or something.

would you reccommend doing it online or by mail?
it's really personal preference.
online is much easier in that you just type up your answers, copy & paste your essays from a word document into the required sections, check boxes, etc. and youre done. they usually have a checking thing to make sure you filled out all of the necessary parts too. also, you know it will have been submitted because a confirmation screen will show up.
my friend did hers by mail and let me tell you. she went ALL OUT. she laser-printed everything onto the paper copies so that everything was in print (not her handwriting). thats so painstaking and im sure most of you won't do this. theres the risk of your app getting lost in the mail and you won't know when they receive it or if they even receive it at all because you have to wait for them to process all of those applications. (anxiety is a killer and you'll def. learn that soon). if you have bad handwriting, please just do it online instead of giving the admissions officers a headache. i guess doing it by mail might personalize your app a bit and you can always attach a picture or something or send them extra stuff with your app.
it's pretty much up to you on that.

do we just leave the SAT score section blank if we're planning to take it again?
you should tell them all of your previous scores. they'll find out about them anyways when they get the collegeboard score report
usually if you plan on taking another test, you indicate that in the score section. like they say "if you plan on taking another test, fill in what test and when" so you'd do like "sat 1 oct/2007". on the online apps theyre usually drop-down menus or fill-in blanks. just read your app for what that school specifically does.

and finally for the UC essay, there are three questions (i think) do we have to answer them in three different paragraphs, or can we write one single essay that would answer all those questions?
no. you write 3 separate essays.

elisa*, isn't part 1 required? o_O i don't think you have an option of filling it out or not.
and sorry piQ. i would answer your question but i avoided the common ap and don't know too much about it.

[chiluvskk]

^^ thank you soo much!!!

[elisa*]

elisa*, isn't part 1 required? o_O i don't think you have an option of filling it out or not.

It says

# October 15, 2007: Part I Application Deadline for Freshmen and Transfer Students (USC's Part I application is optional)

The Part I Application is optional. We offer it as a way for interested students to begin their admission files early. Submitting a part I by the deadline will also earn the student a $15 discount on the Part II Application fee.

If you choose not to submit the Part I, or miss the deadline, you should begin the USC application process with Part II. Be assured that the Part I is optional and the lack of a Part I will in no way affect your admission.

but I think I'll go on and do it anyway because they'll have my newly updated SAT scores when I fill out Part II. =)

Thanks for your help!!

[chiluvskk]

ahh sorry i'm back again with more questions ><

1. what does it mean if some colleges say you can't take two of the SATII's in the same subject?
2. if i took SATII US History, World History, and Math 2, is that ok? or not since 2 of them are history?


thank you again!

[chdairkld]

^What is means is that you can't take two tests in the same subject area, so in your case you can't submit both histories. Pick a science since you don't have that yet.

[hI^slyer]

if i put down "Undeclared" for major ( i know science majors are impacted) and i get accepted, what's it mean if i might not get accepted in my major ?? O.o (sorry if that's confusing)

is being accepted into a major like being accepted onto a sports team, where if you aren't accepted, you have to pick another major?

i heard someone talking about not being accepted into their major and end up starting over on credits for their new major.

if anyone can understand what i'm trying to say, I thank you.

[vintage:DREAMS]

By my second question, I'm asking about the essay and how it should be done...

Question Number 1:
For the common application, I see six. Do I write all six essays, or choose one?
Question Number 2:
Colleges also have specific essay topics they want students to write about (~300 words), correct?
So I am asking, do I do both?

I personally don't know that much about the common application. I avoid it as much as possible. But when the common application opens up in September, I think it'll give you instructions about what to do in each section. I would ask your counselor for more information about each college you're applying to. I'm sorry I can't be of much help.

if i put down "Undeclared" for major ( i know science majors are impacted) and i get accepted, what's it mean if i might not get accepted in my major ?? O.o (sorry if that's confusing)

is being accepted into a major like being accepted onto a sports team, where if you aren't accepted, you have to pick another major?

i heard someone talking about not being accepted into their major and end up starting over on credits for their new major.

if anyone can understand what i'm trying to say, I thank you. :D

I'm pretty sure not getting accepted in your major means that when you try to change from Undeclared to say, Biological Sciences, it's too full so you can't join.

Uh, I'm a little confused by your sports analogy, but I think you can keep trying to switch into your major if something opens up. People drop and change majors all the time, so you might be put on a waiting list or something.

If the new major have different requirements than the old major, then yea, you'd probably have to take a whole bunch of new classes.

I'm not quite sure I understand everything you asked, but I hope that helps. You can always ask your counselor on these things. It's what they're there for. ^^;

[hI^slyer]

^thank you well you were able to answer my question anyways.

another small question, what're the chances of being accepted into the major of your choice ? does it depend on the college and/or the major(science, engineering, etc..) ?